Medical connector

ABSTRACT

A medical connector includes: a first connection section that defines a first passage; a second connection section that defines a second passage communicating with the first passage; and a rotation control section that controls relative rotation of the first and second connection sections. The second connection section includes a first wall face configured to abut on the first connection section to restrict the first connection section from moving in a direction to be separated from the second connection section. In a state in which the first wall face abuts on the first connection section, the rotation control section allows the second connection section to rotate relative to the first connection section in a first circumferential direction about the axis and restricts the second connection section from rotating relative to the first connection section in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a bypass continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2018/042333,filed on Nov. 15, 2018, which claims priority to Japanese ApplicationNos. 2017-250127, filed on Dec. 26, 2017, and 2018-196068, filed on Oct.17, 2018. The contents of these applications are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a medical connector.

Conventionally, when an infusion, blood transfusion, artificialdialysis, or the like is performed, an infusion line is formed using amedical tube or the like, and a liquid such as a medicinal solution issupplied into a body through the infusion line. Medical devices such asthe medical tube and a syringe used in the infusion line can beconnected to each other using a medical connector.

JP 2009-011820 A discloses, as a medical connector of this type, aconfiguration in which a screw portion that can be screwed with a luerlock connector is provided on an outer peripheral face of a housing.

SUMMARY

When a medical connector having a screw portion as in the medicalconnector described in JP 2009-011820 A is used, a connection statebetween the medical connector and a medical device can be stablymaintained. However, there is still a possibility of rotation in adirection that loosens a screwing state of the screw portion as anunintended external force such as a twist of a medical tube is applied.

The present disclosure aims to provide a medical connector having aconfiguration that can easily maintain a connection state with a medicaldevice.

A medical connector as a first aspect of the present disclosureincludes: a first connection section that defines a first passage; asecond connection section that defines a second passage communicatingwith the first passage; and a rotation control section that controlsrelative rotation of the first connection section and the secondconnection section in a connection state. The second connection sectionincludes a wall face that abuts on the first connection section torestrict the first connection section from moving in a direction to beseparated from the second connection section along an axis of the firstpassage and the second passage. The rotation control section allows thesecond connection section to rotate relative to the first connectionsection in a first circumferential direction about the axis as a centralaxis and restricts the second connection section from rotating relativeto the first connection section in a second circumferential directionopposite to the first circumferential direction, in a state in which thefirst connection section abuts on the wall face. The first connectionsection is connectable to a first medical device using a rotatingoperation in the second circumferential direction and is disconnectablefrom the first medical device using a rotating operation in the firstcircumferential direction.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first connectionsection includes a male screw portion that is screwable with a femalescrew portion of the first medical device, and the male screw portion isscrewed with the female screw portion of the first medical device bybeing rotated in the second circumferential direction relative to thefemale screw portion of the first medical device.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the other medicaldevice is a first medical device, the second connection section isconnectable to a second medical device using a rotating operation in thefirst circumferential direction and is disconnectable from the secondother medical device using a rotating operation in the secondcircumferential direction.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second connectionsection includes a female screw portion that is screwable with a malescrew portion of the second medical device, and the female screw portionis screwed with the male screw portion of the second medical device bybeing rotated in the first circumferential direction relative to themale screw portion of the second medical device.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotation controlsection includes a ratchet mechanism formed of a first housingconstituting at least a part of the first connection section, and asecond housing constituting at least a part of the second connectionsection.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a first tubular portionof one connection section of the first connection section and the secondconnection section, a second tubular portion of the other connectionsection is inserted. An inner wall of the first tubular portion and anouter wall of the second tubular portion form an abutment region in eachpart of the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion alongan axial direction in an insertion region where the first tubularportion and the second tubular portion overlap in a radial direction.The second connection section rotates in the first circumferentialdirection relative to the first connection section while sliding withrespect to the first connection section in the abutment region.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the abutment region isformed over an entire circumferential region of the first tubularportion and the second tubular portion.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an annular groove is formedon an outer wall of the first tubular portion of the one connectionsection, and the other connection section includes a claw portion thatis located outside the first tubular portion of the one connectionsection in the radial direction and fits into the annular groove. Thewall face is constituted by a groove wall of the annular groove or anouter wall of the claw portion.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the wall face is afirst wall face, the second connection section includes a second wallface that abuts on the first connection section to restrict the firstconnection section from moving in a direction to approach the secondconnection section along the axis. The rotation control section allowsthe second connection section to rotate relative to the first connectionsection in the first circumferential direction and restricts the secondconnection section from rotating relative to the first connectionsection in the second circumferential direction, in a state in which thefirst connection section abuts on the second wall face.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a part of thefirst connection section is constituted by a valve body that closes thefirst passage.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide themedical connector having the configuration that can easily maintain theconnection state with the medical device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a medical connector as oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the medical connector illustrated in FIG. 1 asviewed from a side surface;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the medical connector illustrated in FIG. 1 asviewed from a top surface;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along line I-Iof FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the medical connectorillustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from the top surface;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the medical connectorillustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from a bottom surface;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the same cross section asFIG. 4 in a state in which the medical connector illustrated in FIG. 1is disassembled into a first connection member and a second connectionmember;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a ratchet mechanism in a rotation controlsection of the medical connector illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an outline of the ratchet mechanismillustrated in FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a modification of the ratchet mechanismillustrated in FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating another modification of the ratchetmechanism illustrated in FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a firstmedical device is connected to a first connection section and a secondmedical device is connected to a second connection section in themedical connector illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an infusion set including the medicalconnector illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating still another modification of the ratchetmechanism illustrated in FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a second connection memberincluding a deformation portion illustrated in FIG. 14 ;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a modification of the medical connectorillustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from the side surface; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the medical connector illustratedin FIG. 16 in the same cross section as FIG. 4 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a medical connector according to thepresent disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17 .The same reference signs are attached to members and portions common inthe respective drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a medical connector 100according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of themedical connector 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from a sidesurface. FIG. 3 is a top view of the medical connector 100 illustratedin FIG. 1 as viewed from a top surface. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating a cross section taken along line I-I of FIG. 3 .

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the medical connector 100 includes afirst connection section 1, a second connection section 2, and arotation control section 3. The rotation control section 3 controlsrelative rotation of the first connection section 1 and the secondconnection section 2 in a connection state.

More specifically, a part of the first connection section 1 isconstituted by a first housing 31 in the medical connector 100 of thepresent embodiment. Further, a part of the second connection section 2is constituted by a second housing 51 in the medical connector 100 ofthe present embodiment. A rotation control section 3 of the presentembodiment includes a ratchet mechanism formed by the first housing 31and the second housing 51. Detailed configurations of the first housing31, the second housing 51, and the ratchet mechanism formed by the firsthousing 31 and the second housing 51 will be described below.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the first connection section 1 defines afirst passage 1 a. The second connection section 2 is connected to thefirst connection section 1. The second connection section 2 defines asecond passage 2 a communicating with the first passage 1 a. In otherwords, the medical connector 100 defines a connector passage 4 includingthe first passage 1 a and the second passage 2 a. An axis O of the firstpassage 1 a and the second passage 2 a forms an axis of the connectorpassage 4.

Each of the first connection section 1 and the second connection section2 are connectable to medical devices using a rotating operation.Further, each of the first connection section 1 and the secondconnection section 2 are disconnectable from the medical devices using arotating operation. The “medical devices” are not particularly limited,and examples thereof include a medical connector different from themedical connector 100, a medical tube, a syringe, and the like.Hereinafter, a medical device that can be connected to the firstconnection section 1 is referred to as a “first medical device” forconvenience of description. Hereinafter, a medical device that can beconnected to the second connection section 2 is referred to as a “secondmedical device” for convenience of description.

The expression of “connected to medical devices using a rotationaloperation” means that some or all of connection processes for achievinga liquid-tight connection state with the medical devices include therotating operation with respect to the medical devices. Further, theexpression of “disconnectable from medical devices using a rotatingoperation” means that some or all of disconnection processes forreleasing a liquid-tight connection state with the medical devicesinclude the rotating operation with respect to the medical devices.

Although details will be described below, the first connection section 1of the present embodiment can be connected to the first medical deviceby screw connection (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “screwing”)using a rotating operation. The first connection section 1 of thepresent embodiment can be disconnected from the first medical deviceusing a rotating operation in a direction opposite to that at the timeof connection. Further, the second connection section 2 of the presentembodiment can be connected to a second medical device by screwconnection using a rotating operation. The second connection section 2of the present embodiment can be disconnected from the second medicaldevice using a rotating operation in a direction opposite to that at thetime of connection. In other words, the medical connector 100 of thepresent embodiment is an example in which the rotating operation withrespect to the medical device is used in all of the connection processesand the disconnection processes.

In this manner, each of the first connection section 1 and the secondconnection section 2 in the connection state is configured to beconnectable to and disconnectable from medical devices using therotating operation. Therefore, for example, when a medical tube as anexample of the first medical device is connected to the first connectionsection 1 and another medical tube as an example of the second medicaldevice is connected to the second connection section 2, passages of thetwo medical tubes can be made in fluid communication via the connectorpassage 4 of the medical connector 100.

In the medical connector 100, the first connection section 1 and thesecond connection section 2 are restricted from moving along the axis Oin directions to be separated from each other. Therefore, even if one ofthe first connection section 1 and the second connection section 2 ismoved relative to the other so as to be separated in an axial directionA along the axis O, it is difficult to separate the both. That is, thefirst connection section 1 and the second connection section 2 areconfigured so as not to be separated from each other in the movement inthe separating directions along the axial direction A. In other words,when focusing on an arbitrary predetermined point of the firstconnection section 1 and an arbitrary predetermined point of the secondconnection section 2, a distance between these two predetermined pointsin the axial direction A is set so as not to exceed a predetermineddistance. Such a configuration can be achieved by providing the firstconnection section 1 and the second connection section 2 with portionsthat are arranged while overlapping in the axial direction A and abut oneach other to interfere when the first connection section 1 and thesecond connection section 2 try to separate in the axial direction A.

Specifically, the second connection section 2 includes a wall face 5.This wall face 5 abuts on the first connection section 1 to restrict thefirst connection section 1 from moving in a direction to be separatedfrom the second connection section 2 along the axis O of the firstpassage 1 a and the second passage 2 a. Further, the first connectionsection 1 includes a wall face 6. This wall face 6 abuts on the wallface 5 of the second connection section 2 to restrict the secondconnection section 2 from moving in a direction to be separated from thefirst connection section 1 along the axis O of the first passage 1 a andthe second passage 2 a. More specifically, the wall face 6 of the firstconnection section 1 and the wall face 5 of the second connectionsection 2 oppose each other in the axial direction A. When the firstconnection section 1 and the second connection section 2 are to separatein the axial direction A, the wall face 6 of the first connectionsection 1 and the wall face 5 of the second connection section 2 comeinto contact with each other. Accordingly, the separation movement inthe axial direction A of the first connection section 1 and the secondconnection section 2 is restricted. Details of the wall face 6 of thefirst connection section 1 and the wall face 5 of the second connectionsection 2 in the present embodiment will be described below (see FIG. 4and the like).

The rotation control section 3 allows the second connection section 2 torotate relative to the first connection section 1 in a firstcircumferential direction B1 about the axis O as a center axis in astate in which the first connection section 1 and the second connectionsection 2 are restricted from moving in the directions to be separatedfrom each other along the axis O (hereinafter, sometimes referred to asa “separation-restricted state”). Further, the rotation control section3 restricts the second connection section 2 from rotating relative tothe first connection section 1 in a second circumferential direction B2opposite to the first circumferential direction B1 in theseparation-restricted state. The separation-restricted state in thepresent embodiment is a state in which the wall face 6 of the firstconnection section 1 abuts on the wall face 5 of the second connectionsection 2 as described above.

That is, the rotation control section 3 allows the second connectionsection 2 to rotate relative to the first connection section 1 in onedirection (the first circumferential direction B1) of a circumferentialdirection B in the above-described separation-restricted state. On theother hand, the rotation control section 3 restricts the secondconnection section 2 from rotating relative to the first connectionsection 1 in the opposite direction (the second circumferentialdirection B2) of the circumferential direction B in the above-describedseparation-restricted state. Details of the configuration of therotation control section 3 of the present embodiment will be describedbelow (see FIGS. 5 to 11 and the like).

As described above, the first connection section 1 can be connected tothe first medical device using a rotating operation and can bedisconnected from the first medical device using a rotating operation.More specifically, the first connection section 1 can be connected tothe first medical device using the rotating operation in the secondcircumferential direction B2. Further, the first connection section 1can be disconnected from the first medical device using the rotatingoperation in the first circumferential direction B1.

Because the medical connector 100 includes the above-described rotationcontrol section 3 and the first connection section 1 that can beconnected to and disconnected from the first medical device in theabove-described rotation directions, the first medical device connectedto the medical connector 100 is less likely to come off the medicalconnector 100 as compared with a configuration that does not include theabove-described rotation control section 3.

That is, when the second connection section 2 tries to rotate in thefirst circumferential direction B1, this rotational torque is used bythe rotation control section 3 for the rotating operation between thefirst connection section 1 and the second connection section 2.Accordingly, it is difficult for the above-described rotational torqueto act on a connecting portion between the first connection section 1and the first medical device. Therefore, it becomes difficult for thefirst connection section 1 to rotate in the first circumferentialdirection B1 relative to the first medical device. In this manner, evenif an external force that tries to release the connection state betweenthe first connection section 1 and the first medical device acts on aposition of the second connection section 2, this external force can besuppressed from acting on the connecting portion between the firstconnection section 1 and the first medical device by the rotationcontrol section 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connectionstate between the medical connector 100 and the first medical devicefrom being unintentionally released. As a result, it is possible torealize a configuration in which the connection state between themedical connector 100 and the first medical device is easily maintained.

As described above, the second connection section 2 of the presentembodiment can be also connected to the second medical device using arotating operation, and can be disconnected from the second medicaldevice using a rotating operation. More specifically, the secondconnection section 2 of the present embodiment can be connected to thesecond medical device using the rotating operation in the firstcircumferential direction B1. Further, the second connection section 2of the present embodiment can be disconnected from the second medicaldevice using the rotating operation in the second circumferentialdirection B2.

Because the medical connector 100 of the present embodiment includes theabove-described rotation control section 3 and the second connectionsection 2 that can be connected to and disconnected from the secondmedical device in the above-described rotation directions, the secondmedical device connected to the medical connector 100 is less likely tocome off the medical connector 100 as compared with a configuration thatdoes not include the above-described rotation control section 3.

That is, when the first connection section 1 tries to rotate in thesecond circumferential direction B2, this rotational torque is used bythe rotation control section 3 for the rotating operation between thefirst connection section 1 and the second connection section 2.Accordingly, it is difficult for the above-described rotational torqueto act on a connecting portion between the second connection section 2and the second medical device. Therefore, it becomes difficult for thesecond connection section 2 to rotate in the second circumferentialdirection B2 relative to the second medical device. In this manner, evenif an external force that tries to release the connection state betweenthe second connection section 2 and the second medical device acts onthe position of the first connection section 1, this external force canbe suppressed from acting on the connecting portion between the secondconnection section 2 and the second medical device by the rotationcontrol section 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connectionstate between the medical connector 100 and the second medical devicefrom being unintentionally released. As a result, it is possible torealize a configuration in which the connection state between themedical connector 100 and the second medical device is easilymaintained.

Hereinafter, more details of the medical connector 100 of the presentembodiment will be described.

The medical connector 100 of the present embodiment includes a firstconnection member 21 and a second connection member 22. The firstconnection section 1 of the present embodiment is constituted by thefirst connection member 21. The second connection section 2 of thepresent embodiment is constituted by the second connection member 22.Hereinafter, details of the first connection member 21 and the secondconnection member 22 will be described.

<First Connection Member 21>

The first connection member 21 includes a first housing 31 and a valvebody 32 attached to the first housing 31. As described above, the firstconnection section 1 of the present embodiment is constituted by thefirst connection member 21. That is, the first connection section 1 ofthe present embodiment is constituted by the first housing 31 and thevalve body 32.

[First Housing 31]

The first housing 31 defines an insertion port for a male connector tobe inserted from the outside. The valve body 32 having a slit 33 islocated at this insertion port. The insertion port is a hollow portioninto which a distal portion of the male connector can be inserted fromthe outside. The first housing 31 holds the valve body 32 such that thevalve body 32 is located in this hollow portion. In other words, theinsertion port of the first housing 31 means a hollow portion of a partwhere the valve body 32 is located in a state in which the valve body 32is attached to the first housing 31. The hollow portion inside the valvebody 32, that is, the hollow portion continuous with the inside of theinsertion port is a passage. The first passage 1 a of the firstconnection section 1 is constituted by the above-described passage thatis continuous with the inside of the insertion port. In other words, oneend of the first passage 1 a is closed by the valve body 32 arranged atthe position of the insertion port.

More specifically, the first housing 31 of the present embodimentincludes: a cap 34 that defines the insertion port and a part of thepassage; and a holder 35 that defines a part of the passage and supportsthe cap 34.

The cap 34 includes a top face cap 36 and a bottom face cap 37. Theinsertion port is defined by a part of the top face cap 36 and a part ofthe bottom face cap 37. The periphery of the valve body 32 is compressedand held by the top face cap 36 and the bottom face cap 37, whereby theposition of the valve body 32 in the insertion port is fixed. The valvebody 32 will be described below.

The holder 35 supports the top face cap 36 and the bottom face cap 37that serve as the cap 34. Both the top face cap 36 and the bottom facecap 37 are configured to be supported by the holder 35 in a contactmanner in the present embodiment, but a configuration in which thebottom face cap 37 is held by the top face cap 36, and only the top facecap 36 is brought into contact with the holder 35 so as to be supportedby the holder 35 may be employed. On the contrary, it may be configuredsuch that the top face cap 36 is held by the bottom face cap 37, andonly the bottom face cap 37 is brought into contact with the holder 35so as to be supported by the holder 35.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the top face cap 36 includes a substantiallycylindrical hollow tubular portion 36 a and a flange 36 b provided onone end side of the hollow tubular portion 36 a. As illustrated in FIG.4 , an upper face 38 formed of an annular plane is provided on the otherend side of the hollow tubular portion 36 a. The upper face 38 includesa substantially circular edge 39 that defines one end of theabove-described insertion port. A male screw portion 40 is formed on anouter wall of the hollow tubular portion 36 a so as to be screwable witha lock-type male connector or male connector portion conforming to ISO80369-7 in 2016. The flange 36 b is a portion that is molded integrallywith the hollow tubular portion 36 a, and the top face cap 36 is held bythe holder 35 as the flange 36 b is engaged with the holder 35 to bedescribed below.

A locking projection 41 is provided on an inner wall of the hollowtubular portion 36 a. This locking projection 41 projects in aninsertion direction C of the male connector (a direction in which themale connector is inserted into the first connection section 1, the samedirection as one direction of the axial direction A in the presentembodiment), and sandwiches the valve body 32 together with a lockingprojection 42 of the bottom face cap 37, which will be described, to becompressed and held.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the bottom face cap 37 includes asubstantially cylindrical hollow tubular portion 37 a and a flange 37 bthat is provided on one end side of the hollow tubular portion 37 asimilarly to the top face cap 36. The locking projection 42 is providedon the other end side of the hollow tubular portion 37 a. The lockingprojection 42 projects in a removal direction D of the male connector,which is a direction opposite to the insertion direction C of the maleconnector, and sandwiches the valve body 32 together with the lockingprojection 41 of the top face cap 36 to be compressed and held.

The bottom face cap 37 is attached to the top face cap 36 by beingjoined to an inner surface of the hollow tubular portion 36 a of the topface cap 36 and/or a lower face (the lower face in FIG. 4 ) of theflange 36 b by ultrasonic welding or the like. Further, the bottom facecap 37 is also attached to the holder 35 by joining the flange 37 b ofthe bottom face cap 37 to the holder 35, which will be described below,by ultrasonic welding or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the holder 35 supports the top face cap 36and the bottom face cap 37, and defines a passage inside thereof.

More specifically, the holder 35 includes a substantially cylindricalinner tubular portion 35 a, an annular support portion 35 b, and asubstantially cylindrical outer tubular portion 35 c. The inner tubularportion 35 a defines a passage. The annular support portion 35 bprojects radially outward from an outer wall of the inner tubularportion 35 a on one end side (the upper side in FIG. 4 ) of the innertubular portion 35 a in the axial direction (the same direction as theaxial direction A in the present embodiment), and supports the top facecap 36 and the bottom face cap 37 described above. The outer tubularportion 35 c projects from the support portion 35 b toward the other endside (the lower side in FIG. 4 ) of the inner tubular portion 35 a inthe axial direction, and is located outside the inner tubular portion 35a in the radial direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the inner tubular portion 35 a is fitted witha connecting inner tubular portion 52 a of the second housing 51 of thesecond connection member 22 to be described below. Specifically, theconnecting inner tubular portion 52 a of the second housing 51 of thesecond connection member 22, which will be described below, is fitted inthe inner tubular portion 35 a. More specifically, when one end side inthe axial direction of the inner tubular portion 35 a that is continuouswith the support portion 35 b is defined as a proximal side and theopposite side thereof is defined as a distal side, the connecting innertubular portion 52 a of the second housing 51 of the second connectionmember 22 is inserted from the distal side of the inner tubular portion35 a and is fitted in the inner tubular portion 35 a.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the medical connector 100 asviewed from the top surface. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view ofthe medical connector 100 as viewed from a bottom surface. FIG. 7 is across-sectional view illustrating the same cross section as FIG. 4 in astate in which the medical connector 100 is disassembled into the firstconnection member 21 and the second connection member 22, in otherwords, in a state before the first connection member 21 and the secondconnection member 22 are connected.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , an inner peripheral face of the inner tubularportion 35 a includes: a proximal inner peripheral face 81 located onthe proximal side; a distal inner peripheral face 82 located on thedistal side and extending to a distal end; and an intermediate innerperipheral face 83 located between the proximal inner peripheral face 81and the distal inner peripheral face 82 in the axial direction of theinner tubular portion 35 a.

Each of the proximal inner peripheral face 81, the distal innerperipheral face 82, and the intermediate inner peripheral face 83 is atapered face that increases in diameter from the proximal side (theupper side in FIG. 7 ) to the distal side (the lower side in FIG. 7 ).However, with regard to a taper angle with respect to an axis of theinner tubular portion 35 a, a taper angle of the intermediate innerperipheral face 83 is larger than taper angles of the proximal innerperipheral face 81 and the distal inner peripheral face 82. Although thetaper angle of the intermediate inner peripheral face 83 is illustratedas “θ” in FIG. 7 , the taper angle of each of the proximal innerperipheral face 81 and the distal inner peripheral face 82 means anangle at a similar position.

As described above, each of the proximal inner peripheral face 81 andthe distal inner peripheral face 82 of the present embodiment isconstituted by the tapered surface, but the present invention is notlimited to this configuration, and may have an inner peripheral facehaving a uniform inner diameter in the axial direction of the innertubular portion 35 a. Further, the taper angle of the proximal innerperipheral face 81 and the taper angle of the distal inner peripheralface 82 are substantially equal in the present embodiment, but may bedifferent angles.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , an outer peripheral face of the connectinginner tubular portion 52 a of the second housing 51 of the secondconnection member 22 is fitted in the inner tubular portion 35 a. Theouter peripheral face of the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a ofthe second housing 51 of the second connection member 22 is in closecontact with the proximal inner peripheral face 81 of the inner tubularportion 35 a (see FIG. 7 ). As illustrated in FIG. 7 , a distal outerperipheral face 85 that is in close contact with the above-describedproximal inner peripheral face 81 is formed even in the outer peripheralface of the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a of the second housing51 of the second connection member 22, and details of the distal outerperipheral face 85 will be described below (see FIG. 7 ).

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7 , an insertion restricting portion 44 isprovided on an inner wall of the inner tubular portion 35 a. Theinsertion restricting portion 44 restricts further insertion of the maleconnector in the insertion direction C as a distal end of the maleconnector inserted from the insertion port of the cap 34 abuts thereon.As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the proximal inner peripheral face 81, theintermediate inner peripheral face 83, and the distal inner peripheralface 82 are arranged in the axial direction of the inner tubular portion35 a on the side of the insertion direction C of the male connector (thelower side in FIG. 7 ) that is on the distal side of the insertionrestricting portion 44.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 and the like, an annular groove 45 extending ina circumferential direction (the same direction as the circumferentialdirection B in the present embodiment) is formed on the outer wall ofthe inner tubular portion 35 a. More specifically, the annular groove 45of the present embodiment is formed in a portion of the outer wall in aregion where the distal inner peripheral face 82 (see FIG. 7) of theinner tubular portion 35 a is formed. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , a clawportion 57 of the second housing 51 of the second connection member 22is fitted into the annular groove 45. Details of the claw portion 57will be described below.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , a plurality of convex portions 46 are formedon a face (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “lower face of thesupport portion 35 b”) of the annular support portion 35 b opposite to aface supporting the cap 34 (see FIG. 4 ). More specifically, a pluralityof convex portions 46 arranged at a predetermined pitch in thecircumferential direction (the same direction as the circumferentialdirection B in the present embodiment) are formed on the lower face ofthe support portion 35 b. Although details will be described below, theplurality of convex portions 46 constitute a part of the ratchetmechanism of the rotation control section 3 (see FIGS. 8 to 11 and 14 ).

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7 , the outer tubular portion 35 c islocated outside the inner tubular portion 35 a in the radial direction.Further, an annular gap 47 is formed between the inner tubular portion35 a and the outer tubular portion 35 c. A part of the second housing 51of the second connection member 22, which will be described below,enters the gap 47. A deformation portion 58, which constitutes theratchet mechanism together with the plurality of convex portions 46described above, is provided in a part of the second housing 51 of thesecond connection member 22 although details will be described below(see FIGS. 8 to 11, 14 , and 15).

The holder 35, the top face cap 36, and the bottom face cap 37 thatconstitute the first housing 31 of the present embodiment are made ofpolypropylene, but are not limited to this material. Examples ofmaterials for the holder 35 and the top face cap 36 and the bottom facecap 37, serving as the cap 34, which form the first housing 31, includevarious resin materials; for example polyolefin such as polyethylene,polypropylene, and an ethylene-propylene copolymer; an ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer (EVA); polyvinyl chloride; polyvinylidene chloride;polystyrene; polyamide; polyimide; polyamide-imide; polycarbonate;poly(4-methylpentene-1); ionomer; an acrylic resin; polymethylmethacrylate; an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin);an acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin); a butadiene-styrenecopolymer; polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polycyclohexane terephthalate(PCT); polyether; polyether ketone (PEK); polyether ether ketone (PEEK);polyether imide; polyacetal (POM); polyphenylene oxide; modifiedpolyphenylene oxide; polysulfone; polyether sulfone; polyphenylenesulfide; polyarylate; aromatic polyester (a liquid crystal polymer); andpolytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride and other fluororesins.Further, a blend or a polymer alloy containing one or more kinds of theabove materials may also be used. Alternatively, various glassmaterials, ceramic materials, or metal materials may be used.

The first housing 31 of the first connection member 21 of the presentembodiment is constituted by three members of the holder 35, the topface cap 36, and the bottom face cap 37, but is not limited to thisconfiguration, and may be constituted by two members, for example byintegrally molding the holder 35 and the bottom face cap 37. Further,the first housing may be constituted by a single member or four or moremembers.

[Valve Body 32]

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the valve body 32 is provided with a slit 33such that the valve body 32 can be elastically deformed to be open andclosed when the male connector is attached to and detached from themedical connector 100. Further, the valve body 32 is arranged so as toclose the insertion port formed by the top face cap 36 and the bottomface cap 37 serving as the cap 34. Specifically, the position of thevalve body 32 is fixed by being held by a holding portion formed by thetop face cap 36 and the bottom face cap 37.

The valve body 32 is molded and formed to be elastically deformable.Examples of the material of the valve body 32 include various rubbermaterials such as natural rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber,styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, butylrubber, acrylic rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, hydrin rubber,urethane rubber, silicone rubber, and fluoro rubber; and variousthermoplastic elastomers such as a styrene-based thermoplasticelastomer, a polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, a polyvinylchloride-based thermoplastic elastomer, a polyurethane-basedthermoplastic elastomer, a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer, apolyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer, a polybutadiene-basedthermoplastic elastomer, a transpolyisoprene-based thermoplasticelastomer, a fluoro rubber-based thermoplastic elastomer, and achlorinated polyethylene-based thermoplastic elastomer, and aconfiguration obtained by mixing one or two or more kinds of thesematerials may be used.

Further, the hardness of the valve body 32 is preferably 20 to 60° (Ahardness). Accordingly, it is possible to ensure a moderate elasticforce in the valve body 32, and thus, elastic deformation (describedbelow) can be generated in the valve body 32.

<Second Connection Member 22>

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7 , the second connection member 22includes the second housing 51. As described above, the secondconnection section 2 of the present embodiment is constituted by thesecond connection member 22. That is, the second connection section 2 ofthe present embodiment is constituted by the second housing 51.

[Second Housing 51]

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7 , the second housing 51 includes asubstantially cylindrical inner tubular portion 52, an annular flange53, and a substantially cylindrical outer tubular portion 54. The innertubular portion 52 defines a passage as the second passage 2 a. Theannular flange 53 projects radially outward from an outer wall of theinner tubular portion 52. The outer tubular portion 54 projects from theannular flange 53 in the axial direction of the inner tubular portion 52(the same direction as the axial direction A in the present embodiment).

The inner tubular portion 52 includes the connecting inner tubularportion 52 a and a distal inner tubular portion 52 b. The connectinginner tubular portion 52 a projects from the annular flange 53 to oneend side (the upper side in FIG. 4 ) of the inner tubular portion 52 inthe axial direction, and is inserted into the inner tubular portion 35 aof the first connection member 21 described above. The distal innertubular portion 52 b projects from the annular flange 53 to the otherend side of the inner tubular portion 52 (the lower side in FIG. 4 ) inthe axial direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , an outer peripheral face of the connectinginner tubular portion 52 a of the inner tubular portion 52 includes: aproximal outer peripheral face 84 continuous with the annular flange 53;and a distal outer peripheral face 85 that is located on the distal sideand extends to the distal end.

Each of the proximal outer peripheral face 84 and the distal outerperipheral face 85 is a tapered face whose diameter decreases from theproximal side to the distal side (from the lower side to the upper sidein the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a illustrated in FIG. 7 ).

As described above, each of the proximal outer peripheral face 84 andthe distal outer peripheral face 85 of the present embodiment isconstituted by the tapered surface, but the present invention is notlimited to this configuration, and may have an inner peripheral facehaving a uniform inner diameter in the axial direction of the connectinginner tubular portion 52 a. Each of the proximal outer peripheral face84 and the distal outer peripheral face 85 may be configured to have auniform taper angle regardless of the position in the axial direction.In this case, taper angles of the proximal outer peripheral face 84 andthe distal outer peripheral face 85 may be substantially equal ordifferent. The taper angle of the proximal outer peripheral face 84 anda taper angle of a distal base portion face 85 a, which will bedescribed below, of the distal outer peripheral face 85 are different inthe present embodiment, but may be approximately equal.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the distal outer peripheral face 85 of thepresent embodiment is configured by two tapered surfaces havingdifferent taper angles. Specifically, the distal outer peripheral face85 of the present embodiment is constituted by the distal base portionface 85 a continuous with the proximal outer peripheral face 84 and adistal portion face 85 b that has a larger taper angle than the distalbase portion face 85 a and extends to the distal end. The distal outerperipheral face 85 may be constituted by one cylindrical face or taperedsurface, but is preferably constituted by a plurality of outerperipheral faces having different taper angles as in the presentembodiment. Then, the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a can besmoothly fitted with the inner tubular portion 35 a of the first housing31 of the first connection member 21 when the second connection member22 is connected to the first connection member 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , an inner peripheral face of the inner tubularportion 35 a of the first housing 31 of the first connection member 21externally fitted to the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a is inclose contact with the distal outer peripheral face 85 of the connectinginner tubular portion 52 a (see FIG. 7 ). More specifically, the distalouter peripheral face 85 of the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a(see FIG. 7 ) is in close contact with the proximal inner peripheralface 81 of the inner tubular portion 35 a of the first housing 31 of thefirst connection member 21 (see FIG. 7 ).

In this manner, the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a of the secondhousing 51 is inserted into the inner tubular portion 35 a of the firsthousing 31, thereby forming an insertion region T1 in the axialdirection A where the inner tubular portion 35 a and the connectinginner tubular portion 52 a overlap in the radial direction. Asillustrated in FIG. 4 , an abutment region T2 where the inner peripheralface of the inner tubular portion 35 a is in close contact with theouter peripheral face of the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a isonly a part of the above-described insertion region T1. Then, a slidingresistance when the first connection member 21 and the second connectionmember 22 relatively rotate can be reduced as compared with theconfiguration in which the abutment region T2 is the entire insertionregion T1.

In the present embodiment, the taper angle of the distal base portionface 85 a with respect to the axial direction A is smaller than thetaper angle of the intermediate inner peripheral face 83 with respect tothe axial direction A (see “θ” in FIG. 7 ). Then, it is easy to realizethe configuration in which the distal base portion face 85 a does notabut on the intermediate inner peripheral face 83 but abuts on theproximal inner peripheral face 81. Further, the taper angle of thedistal base portion face 85 a with respect to the axial direction A islarger than the taper angle of the proximal inner peripheral face 81with respect to the axial direction A. Then, it is possible to preventthe connecting inner tubular portion 52 a from being excessivelyinserted into the inner tubular portion 35 a. Accordingly, the abutmentregion T2 in the axial direction A between the distal base portion face85 a and the proximal inner peripheral face 81 can be reduced. In thismanner, the taper angle of the distal base portion face 85 a withrespect to the axial direction A is preferably smaller than the taperangle of the intermediate inner peripheral face 83 with respect to theaxial direction A (see “θ” in FIG. 7 ) and larger than the taper angleof the proximal inner peripheral face 81 with respect to the axialdirection A.

The abutment region T2 of the present embodiment is formed over theentire region in the circumferential direction (the same direction asthe circumferential direction B in the present embodiment) of the innertubular portion 35 a and the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a. Thatis, the proximal inner peripheral face 81 (see FIG. 7 ) of the innerperipheral face of the inner tubular portion 35 a abuts on the distalouter peripheral face 85 (see FIG. 7 ) of the outer peripheral face ofthe connecting inner tubular portion 52 a in the entire circumferentialregion. Accordingly, the first passage 1 a of the first connectionsection 1 defined by the first connection member 21 and the secondpassage 2 a of the second connection section 2 defined by the secondconnection member 22 are connected in a liquid-tight manner. In thismanner, a sealing property of a connection point may be ensured bycausing the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a of the secondconnection member 22 and the inner tubular portion 35 a of the firstconnection member 21 to abut on each other. Further, the sealingproperty may be ensured by interposing another member, such as anO-ring, between the outer wall of the connecting inner tubular portion52 a and the inner wall of the inner tubular portion 35 a.

The distal inner tubular portion 52 b of the inner tubular portion 52is, for example, a male luer portion conforming to ISO 80369-7 in 2016.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the outer tubular portion 54 includes asubstantially cylindrical connecting outer tubular portion 54 a and asubstantially cylindrical distal outer tubular portion 54 b. Theconnecting outer tubular portion 54 a projects from an outer edge of theannular flange 53 to one end side (the upper side in FIG. 4 ) of theinner tubular portion 52 in the axial direction, and is located radiallyaround the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a of the inner tubularportion 52. The distal outer tubular portion 54 b projects from theouter edge of the annular flange 53 to the other end side (the lowerside in FIG. 4 ) of the inner tubular portion 52 in the axial direction,and is located radially around the distal inner tubular portion 52 b ofthe inner tubular portion 52.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the connecting outer tubular portion 54 a ofthe outer tubular portion 54 includes a peripheral wall portion 56 andthe claw portion 57. The claw portion 57 is only partially continuouswith the peripheral wall portion 56, and can be elastically deformed inthe radial direction of the peripheral wall portion 56 at positionsother than the continuous position.

In the claw portion 57 of the present embodiment, only one side (theupper side in FIG. 4 ) of the peripheral wall portion 56 in the axialdirection (the same direction as the axial direction A in the presentembodiment) is continuous with the peripheral wall portion 56. On theother hand, the claw portion 57 of the present embodiment is notcontinuous with the peripheral wall portion 56 on the other side of theperipheral wall portion 56 in the axial direction and on both sides ofthe peripheral wall portion 56 in the circumferential direction.Therefore, the claw portion 57 of the present embodiment can beelastically deformed in the radial direction of the peripheral wallportion 56 to swing with the position continuous with the peripheralwall portion 56 on one side of the peripheral wall portion 56 in theaxial direction as a fulcrum. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like, aplurality of (four in the present embodiment) claw portion 57 of thepresent embodiment are provided at different positions in thecircumferential direction of the peripheral wall portion 56 (the samedirection as the circumferential direction B in the present embodiment).

More specifically, the claw portion 57 of the present embodimentincludes a deformation portion 57 a and a locking projection 57 b. Thedeformation portion 57 a can be elastically deformed in the radialdirection of the peripheral wall portion 56. The locking projection 57 bprojects radially inward of the peripheral wall portion 56 from a distalportion of the deformation portion 57 a.

As described above, the annular groove 45 (see FIG. 4 and the like)extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the outer wallof the inner tubular portion 35 a of the first housing 31 of the firstconnection member 21. The claw portion 57 of the present embodiment islocated radially outside the inner tubular portion 35 a of the firsthousing 31 of the first connection member 21. The first connectionmember 21 and the second connection member 22 can be connected byfitting the locking projection 57 b of the claw portion 57 into theannular groove 45. The claw portion 57 is elastically deformable in theradial direction as described above. With such a configuration, it ispossible to suppress an increase in sliding resistance when the innertubular portion 35 a and the connecting inner tubular portion 52 arelatively rotate.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the connecting outer tubular portion 54 a ofthe outer tubular portion 54 further includes the deformation portion58. The deformation portion 58 is inserted into the annular gap 47between the inner tubular portion 35 a and the outer tubular portion 35c of the first connection member 21 (see FIG. 6 and the like) and isengaged with the plurality of convex portions 46 (see FIG. 6 ) formed onthe lower face of the support portion 35 b of the first connectionmember 21.

More specifically, the deformation portion 58 of the present embodimentis constituted by a projecting portion that projects from theabove-described peripheral wall portion 56. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , anotch-shaped concave portion 56 a is formed on an end face in the axialdirection (the same direction as the axial direction A in the presentembodiment) in the peripheral wall portion 56 of the present embodiment.The projecting portion serving as the deformation portion 58 of thepresent embodiment projects from a position of an edge of the concaveportion 56 a on the end face of the peripheral wall portion 56 towardthe concave portion 56 a in the circumferential direction of theperipheral wall portion 56 (the same direction as the circumferentialdirection B in the present embodiment). Further, the projecting portionserving as the deformation portion 58 of the present embodiment iscontinuous with the edge of the concave portion 56 a, and is integrallymolded with the peripheral wall portion 56. The projecting portionserving as the deformation portion 58 can be elastically deformed in theaxial direction of the peripheral wall portion 56 to swing with the edgeof the concave portion 56 a as a fulcrum. In an end face in the axialdirection of the peripheral wall portion 56 of the present embodiment,two notched concave portions 56 a are provided at different positions inthe circumferential direction. One deformation portion 58 is provided atthe position of each of the concave portions 56 a. The two concaveportions 56 a may be formed at positions opposing each other the radialdirection of the peripheral wall portion 56, or may be formed atpositions not opposing each other in the radial direction. The numberand circumferential positions of the concave portions 56 a and thedeformation portions 58 are not limited to the number and thecircumferential positions illustrated in the present embodiment, and canbe appropriately designed. More details of the projecting portionserving as the deformation portion 58 of the present embodiment will bedescribed below (see FIGS. 8 to 11, 14, and 15 ).

As illustrated in FIG. 4 and the like, a female screw portion 60 isformed on an inner wall of the distal outer tubular portion 54 b of theouter tubular portion 54. The female screw portion 60 can be screwedwith a lock-type female connector or female connector portion conformingto ISO 80369-7 in 2016.

Although the second housing 51 of the present embodiment is formed usingpolycarbonate, a material of the second housing 51 is not limited tothis material. As the material of the second housing 51, for example,the materials exemplified as the material of the first housing 31 of thefirst connection member 21 described above can be used.

The second housing 51 of the second connection member 22 of the presentembodiment is constituted by one member, but is not limited to thisconfiguration, and may be constituted by two or more members.

[Ratchet Mechanism Formed of First Housing 31 and Second Housing 51]

The first housing 31 of the first connection member 21 and the secondhousing 51 of the second connection member 22 form the ratchetmechanism. The rotation control section 3 of the present embodimentincludes the ratchet mechanism, and thus, can execute theabove-described rotation control. Hereinafter, details of the ratchetmechanism of the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the ratchet mechanism formed of the firsthousing 31 and the second housing 51. As described above, the pluralityof convex portions 46 (see FIG. 6 and the like) are provided on thelower face of the support portion 35 b of the first housing 31 (see FIG.4 , FIG. 6 , and the like) so as to repeat irregularities along thecircumferential direction of the outer tubular portion 35 c (the samedirection as the circumferential direction B in the present embodiment).More specifically, the plurality of convex portions 46 are arranged overthe entire region in the circumferential direction B at substantiallyequal pitches along the circumferential direction B.

On the other hand, the projecting portion serving as the deformationportion 58 is provided on the end face of the peripheral wall portion 56of the connecting outer tubular portion 54 a of the second housing 51.As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the deformation portion 58 is configured tofit into a recess between the convex portions 46 adjacent in thecircumferential direction B in a state in which the first connectionmember 21 and the second connection member 22 are connected. In otherwords, at least a part of the deformation portion 58 and a part of theconvex portion 46 are arranged at positions overlapping in thecircumferential direction B in the state in which the first connectionmember 21 and the second connection member 22 are connected.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an outline of the ratchet mechanismincluding the plurality of convex portions 46 of the first housing 31and the deformation portion 58 of the second housing 51. As illustratedin FIG. 9 , angles of side faces on both sides in the circumferentialdirection B of each of the convex portions 46 with respect to the axialdirection A are different. Specifically, the angle of a first side face46 a located on the side of the first circumferential direction B1,which is one side of the convex portion 46 in the circumferentialdirection B, with respect to the axial direction A is smaller than theangle (see “δ1” in FIG. 9 ) of a second side face 46 b located on theside of the second circumferential direction B2, which is the other sideof the convex portion 46 in the circumferential direction B, withrespect to the axial direction A. In other words, the first side face 46a on the side of the first circumferential direction B1 of the convexportion 46 extends along the axial direction A more than the second sideface 46 b on the side of the second circumferential direction B2 of theconvex portion 46. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9 , the angle ofthe first side face 46 a on the side of the first circumferentialdirection B1 of the convex portion 46 with respect to the axialdirection A is 0 degree, and the first side face 46 a extendssubstantially parallel to the axial direction A.

The distal side of the projecting portion serving as the deformationportion 58 is configured to be capable of swinging (see a two-dot chainline and a thick arrow in FIG. 9 ) by being elastically deformed in theaxial direction A. Specifically, the projecting portion serving as thedeformation portion 58 includes a first abutment face 58 a located onthe side of the first circumferential direction B1 and a second abutmentface 58 b located on the side of the second circumferential directionB2. As illustrated in FIG. 9 , an angle of the second abutment face 58 bwith respect to the axial direction A is smaller than an angle of thefirst abutment face 58 a with respect to the axial direction A (see “δ2”in FIG. 9 ). In other words, the second abutment face 58 b extends alongthe axial direction A more than the first abutment face 58 a. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 9 , the angle of the second abutment face 58b with respect to the axial direction A is 0 degree, and the secondabutment face 58 b extends substantially parallel to the axial directionA.

In the present embodiment, the angles of the first side face 46 a andthe second side face 46 b of the convex portion 46 and the angles of thefirst abutment face 58 a and the second abutment face 58 b of thedeformation portion 58 with respect to the axial direction A are set tohave the above-described inclination relation, thereby realizing theratchet mechanism of the rotation control section 3.

Specifically, when the projecting portion serving as the deformationportion 58 rotates in the first circumferential direction B1 relative tothe convex portion 46, the second side face 46 b of the convex portion46 abuts and slides on the first abutment face 58 a of the deformationportion 58. Accordingly, a distal portion 62 near the first abutmentface 58 a of the deformation portion 58 is pressed in the insertiondirection C by the second side face 46 b, and the distal portion 62 ofthe deformation portion 58 is elastically deformed in the insertiondirection C (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9 ). Accordingly, thedeformation portion 58 can advance over the convex portion 46.

In other words, according to this ratchet mechanism, the relativerotation of the second connection member 22 constituting the secondconnection section 2 (see FIG. 8 ) in the first circumferentialdirection B1 relative to the first connection member 21 constituting thefirst connection section (see FIG. 8 ) is allowed.

Conversely, when the projecting portion serving as the deformationportion 58 rotates in the second circumferential direction B2 relativeto the convex portion 46, the first side face 46 a of the convex portion46 comes into contact with the second abutment face 58 b of thedeformation portion 58, but the both do not slide. Rather, the firstside face 46 a of the convex portion 46 of the present embodiment pushesup the projecting portion serving as the deformation portion 58 in theremoval direction D, which is the opposite direction of the insertiondirection C, via the second abutment face 58 b so as to be pushed intothe recess between the convex portions 46. In this manner, the firstside face 46 a of the convex portion 46 does not press the distalportion 62 near the second abutment face 58 b of the deformation portion58 in the insertion direction C, and thus, the distal portion 62 of thedeformation portion 58 is not elastically deformed in the insertiondirection C. Therefore, it is difficult for the deformation portion 58to advance over the convex portion 46.

In other words, according to this ratchet mechanism, the relativerotation of the second connection member 22 constituting the secondconnection section 2 (see FIG. 8 ) in the second circumferentialdirection B2 relative to the first connection member 21 constituting thefirst connection section (see FIG. 8 ) is restricted.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 , the projecting portion serving as thedeformation portion 58 of the present embodiment includes a main bodyportion 61 and the distal portion 62. The main body portion 61 extendsin the circumferential direction B, and the distal portion 62, which iselastically deformable in the axial direction A, is provided to projectfrom the main body portion 61 in the removal direction D opposite to theinsertion direction C on the distal side of the main body portion 61.The first abutment face 58 a is formed on a face of the distal portion62 on the side where the main body portion 61 is located in thecircumferential direction B (the side of the first circumferentialdirection B1 in FIG. 9 ). The second abutment face 58 b is formed on aface of the distal portion 62 on the side where the main body portion 61is not located in the circumferential direction B (the side of thesecond circumferential direction B2 in FIG. 9 ). However, the shape ofthe deformation portion 58 used in the ratchet mechanism is not limitedto the shape of the present embodiment, and may be another shape. FIG.10 is a view illustrating a modification of the deformation portion 58.A projecting portion serving as the deformation portion 58 illustratedin FIG. 10 includes the main body portion 61 and the distal portion 62.However, the first abutment face 58 a of the deformation portion 58illustrated in FIG. 10 is formed on a face of the distal portion 62 onthe side where the main body portion 61 is not located in thecircumferential direction B (the side of the first circumferentialdirection B1 in FIG. 10 ). The second abutment face 58 b of thedeformation portion 58 illustrated in FIG. 10 is formed on a face of thedistal portion 62 on the side where the main body 61 is located in thecircumferential direction B (the side of the second circumferentialdirection B2 in FIG. 10 ). With the deformation portion 58 asillustrated in FIG. 10 , the durability of the deformation portion 58can be enhanced as compared with the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9. Specifically, when the second connection member 22 tries to rotate inthe second circumferential direction B2 relative to the first connectionmember 21, a tensile force in the circumferential direction B acts onthe main body portion 61 of the deformation portion 58, but a bendingmoment rotating in the axial direction A hardly acts. Therefore, thebending moment hardly acts on the deformation portion 58 at the time ofrestricting the relative rotation of the first connection member 21 andthe second connection member 22, and the breakage of the deformationportion 58 can be suppressed.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating another modification of the deformationportion 58. A projecting portion serving as the deformation portion 58illustrated in FIG. 14 extends linearly to be inclined with respect tothe axial direction A. When the deformation portion 58 is configured toextend linearly, the durability of the deformation portion 58 can beenhanced as compared with the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9 .Specifically, when the second connection member 22 tries to rotate inthe second circumferential direction B2 relative to the first connectionmember 21, the deformation portion 58 that is hardly broken can berealized.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the second connection member22 including the deformation portion 58 illustrated in FIG. 14 .Although four deformation portions 58 illustrated in FIG. 15 areprovided at different positions in the circumferential direction B, thenumber thereof is not particularly limited, and may be one to three, orfive or more.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating another modification of theratchet mechanism. FIG. 11 illustrates only a part of the configurationof the medical connector. In FIG. 11 , the plurality of convex portions46 are provided at a predetermined pitch along the circumferentialdirection B on the inner wall of the outer tubular portion 35 c of thefirst connection member 21. In FIG. 11 , a projecting portion serving asthe deformation portion 58, which projects radially outward and iselastically deformable in the circumferential direction B, is providedon an outer wall of the connecting outer tubular portion 54 a of thesecond connection member 22. The ratchet mechanism may include theconvex portion 46 and the deformation portion 58 as illustrated in FIG.11 . Further, the convex portion 46 is provided on the first connectionmember 21 and the deformation portion 58 is provided on the secondconnection member 22 in FIGS. 1 to 11 , but installation points of theconvex portion 46 and the deformation portion 58 may be reversed. Thatis, it may be configured such that the first connection member 21 isprovided with a deformation portion and the second connection member 22is provided with a convex portion.

[Connecting Operation and Disconnecting Operation between MedicalConnector 100 and Medical Device]

Next, a connecting operation and a disconnecting operation between themedical connector 100 of the present embodiment and a medical devicewill be described. FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which a lock-type maleconnector 501 conforming to ISO 80369-7 in 2016 serving as the firstmedical device is connected to the first connection section 1 of themedical connector 100 of the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 12illustrates a state in which a medical tube 505 including a lock-typefemale connector portion 503 conforming to ISO 80369-7 in 2016 servingas the second medical device is connected to the second connectionsection 2 of the medical connector 100 of the present embodiment.However, a lock-type female connector conforming to ISO 80369-7 in 2016,which is attachable to and detachable from the medical tube 505, may beused as the second medical device.

As described above, the first connection member 21 constitutes the firstconnection section 1, and the second connection member 22 constitutesthe second connection section 2 in the medical connector 100 of thepresent embodiment (see FIG. 1 and the like). As described above, therotation control section 3 includes the ratchet mechanism formed of thefirst connection member 21 and the second connection member 22. Theratchet mechanism of the rotation control section 3 allows the secondconnection section 2 to rotate in the first circumferential direction B1relative to the first connection section 1. Further, the ratchetmechanism of the rotation control section 3 restricts the secondconnection section 2 from rotating in the second circumferentialdirection B2, opposite to the first circumferential direction B1,relative to the first connection section 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the first connection section 1 includes themale screw portion 40 that can be screwed with a female screw portion502 of the lock-type male connector 501 serving as the first medicaldevice. Specifically, the male screw portion 40 of the presentembodiment is formed on the outer wall of the hollow tubular portion 36a of the top face cap 36 in the first housing 31 of the first connectionmember 21 constituting the first connection section 1 as described above(see FIG. 4 and the like).

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the male screw portion 40 is configured tobe screwed with the female screw portion 502 of the lock-type maleconnector 501 by being rotated in the first circumferential direction B1relative to the female screw portion 502 of the lock-type male connector501.

With such a configuration, when connecting the female screw portion 502of the lock-type male connector 501 to the first connection section 1 ofthe medical connector 100, a medical staff such as a doctor and a nursecan execute joining by screwing the medical connector 100 with thefemale screw portion 502 of the lock-type male connector 501 even in thestate of gripping the second connection section 2 without gripping thefirst connection section 1. Specifically, a description will be givenassuming a case where the medical staff grips the second connectionsection 2 with one hand and grips the lock-type male connector 501 withthe other hand. In this case, when the second connection section 2 isrotated in the second circumferential direction B2 relative to thefemale screw portion 502 of the lock-type male connector 501, the firstconnection section 1 rotates together by the ratchet mechanism.Therefore, the first connection section 1 can be rotated in the secondcircumferential direction B2 relative to the female screw portion 502.Accordingly, the first connection section 1 and the female screw portion502 of the lock-type male connector 501 can be connected by screwing.

Next, a description will be given assuming a state in which the firstconnection section 1 and the female screw portion 502 of the lock-typemale connector 501 are connected by screwing. In this state, even if anunintended external force causing rotation in the first circumferentialdirection B1 acts on the second connection member 22 constituting thesecond connection section 2, the first connection section 1 and thesecond connection section 2 rotate relative to each other to idle by theratchet mechanism of the rotation control section 3 Accordingly, theexternal force acting on the second connection member 22 to causerotation in the first circumferential direction B1 is hardly transmittedto the threaded portion between the first connection section 1 and thefemale screw portion 502 of the lock-type male connector 501. That is,it becomes difficult for the first connection section 1 to rotate in thefirst circumferential direction B1 relative to the female screw portion502. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the connection state,obtained by screwing the first connection section 1 with the femalescrew portion 502 of the lock-type male connector 501, from beingloosened by the unintended external force. Therefore, it is possible tosuppress the connection state, obtained by screwing the first connectionsection 1 with the female screw portion 502 of the lock-type maleconnector 501, from being released by the unintended external force.

Further, in the state in which the first connection section 1 and thefemale screw portion 502 of the lock-type male connector 501 areconnected by screwing, the medical staff can release the connection bycausing relative rotation in the circumferential direction B whilegripping the lock-type male connector 501 with one hand and gripping thefirst connection section 1 with the other hand. However, an erroneousoperation for the purpose of disconnecting the connection at the sameposition is likely to occur. The erroneous operation referred to hereinindicates an operation that the medical staff causes relative rotationin the circumferential direction B while gripping the lock-type maleconnector 501 with one hand and gripping the medical tube 505 connectedto the second connection section 2 with the other hand, instead of themedical connector 100. With the medical connector 100 of the presentembodiment, the first connection section 1 and the second connectionsection 2 idle due to the ratchet mechanism of the rotation controlsection 3 even if the above-described erroneous operation is performed.Therefore, the connection between the second connection section 2 andthe male screw portion 504 of the lock-type female connector portion 503of the medical tube 505 is not erroneously released. That is, it ispossible to suppress disconnection at an unintended erroneous position.

Further, the second connection section 2 includes the female screwportion 60 as illustrated in FIG. 12 . The female screw portion 60 canbe screwed with the male screw portion 504 of the lock-type femaleconnector portion 503 of the medical tube 505 serving as the secondmedical device. Specifically, the female screw portion 60 of the presentembodiment is formed on the inner wall of the distal outer tubularportion 54 b of the second housing 51 of the second connection member 22constituting the second connection section 2 as described above (seeFIG. 4 and the like).

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the female screw portion 60 is configured tobe screwed with the male screw portion 504 of the lock-type femaleconnector portion 503 by being rotated in the first circumferentialdirection B1 relative to the male screw portion 504 of the lock-typefemale connector portion 503 of the medical tube 505.

With such a configuration, when connecting the male screw portion 504 ofthe lock-type female connector portion 503 to the second connectionsection 2 of the medical connector 100, a medical staff such as a doctorand a nurse can execute joining by screwing the medical connector 100with the male screw portion 504 of the lock-type female connectorportion 503 in the medical tube 505 even in the state of gripping thefirst connection section 1 without gripping the second connectionsection 2. Specifically, a description will be given assuming a casewhere the medical staff grips the first connection section 1 with onehand and grips the medical tube 505 including the lock-type femaleconnector portion 503 with the other hand. In this case, when the firstconnection section 1 is rotated in the first circumferential directionB1 relative to the male screw portion 504 of the lock-type femaleconnector portion 503, the second connection section 2 rotates togetherby the ratchet mechanism. Therefore, the second connection section 2 canbe rotated in the first circumferential direction B1 relative to themale screw portion 504. Accordingly, the second connection section 2 andthe male screw portion 504 of the lock-type female connector portion 503in the medical tube 505 can be connected by screwing.

Next, a description will be given assuming a state in which the secondconnection section 2 and the male screw portion 504 of the lock-typefemale connector portion 503 of the medical tube 505 are connected byscrewing. In this state, even if an unintended external force causingrotation in the second circumferential direction B2 acts on the firstconnection member 21 constituting the first connection section 1, thefirst connection section 1 and the second connection section 2 rotaterelative to each other to idle by the ratchet mechanism of the rotationcontrol section 3. Accordingly, the external force acting on the firstconnection member 21 to cause rotation in the second circumferentialdirection B2 is hardly transmitted to the threaded portion between thesecond connection section 2 and the male screw portion 504 of thelock-type female connector portion 503. That is, it becomes difficultfor the second connection section 2 to rotate in the secondcircumferential direction B2 with respect to the male screw portion 504.Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the connection state, obtainedby screwing the second connection section 2 with the male screw portion504 of the lock-type female connector portion 503, from being loosenedby the unintended external force. Therefore, it is possible to suppressthe connection state, obtained by screwing the second connection section2 with the medical tube 505 including the male screw portion 504 of thelock-type female connector portion 503, from being released by theunintended external force.

Further, in the state in which the second connection section 2 and themale screw portion 504 of the lock-type female connector portion 503 inthe medical tube 505 are connected by screwing, the medical staff canrelease the connection by causing relative rotation in thecircumferential direction B while gripping the medical tube 505including the lock-type female connector portion 503 with one hand andgripping the second connection section 2 with the other hand. However,an erroneous operation for the purpose of disconnecting the connectionat the same position is likely to occur. The erroneous operationreferred to herein indicates an operation that the medical staff causesrelative rotation in the circumferential direction B while gripping themedical tube 505 including the female connector portion 503 of the locktype with one hand and gripping the lock-type male connector 501connected to the first connection section 1 with the other hand, insteadof the medical connector 100. With the medical connector 100 of thepresent embodiment, the first connection section 1 and the secondconnection section 2 idle due to the ratchet mechanism of the rotationcontrol section 3 even if the above-described erroneous operation isperformed. Therefore, the connection between the first connectionsection 1 and the female screw portion 502 of the lock-type maleconnector 501 is not erroneously released. That is, it is possible tosuppress disconnection at an unintended erroneous position.

[Rotation Performance and Sealing Performance of Ratchet Mechanism ofMedical Connector 100]

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the connecting inner tubular portion 52 aserving as a second tubular portion of the second connection section 2is inserted into the inner tubular portion 35 a serving as a firsttubular portion of the first connection section 1 in the medicalconnector 100 of the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the inner wall of the inner tubular portion35 a serving as the first tubular portion and the outer wall of theconnecting inner tubular portion 52 a serving as the second tubularportion form the abutment region T2 only in each part of the innertubular portion 35 a and the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a inthe axial direction, in the insertion region T1. As described above, theinsertion region T1 is a region in the axial direction (the samedirection as the axial direction A in the present embodiment) where theinner tubular portion 35 a and the connecting inner tubular portion 52 aoverlap in the radial direction. The abutment region T2 is a region inthe axial direction where the inner peripheral face of the inner tubularportion 35 a is in close contact with the outer peripheral face of theconnecting inner tubular portion 52 a. The second connection section 2rotates in the first circumferential direction B1 relative to the firstconnection section 1 while sliding with respect to the first connectionsection 1 in the abutment region T2 described above.

In this manner, the abutment region T2 is only a part of the insertionregion T1 in the axial direction of the inner tubular portion 35 a andthe connecting inner tubular portion 52 a. Therefore, the slidingresistance when the inner tubular portion 35 a and the connecting innertubular portion 52 a relatively rotate can be reduced as compared withthe case where the abutment region exists over the entire insertionregion. Accordingly, the relative rotation of the first connectionsection 1 and the second connection section 2 can be smoothly performed.A lubricant such as silicone oil may be interposed in the abutmentregion T2. With this configuration, the relative rotation of the firstconnection section 1 and the second connection section 2 can beperformed even more smoothly.

In the present embodiment, a length of the abutment region T2 in theaxial direction A is preferably ⅓ or less and more preferably ¼ or less,of the total length of the insertion region T1 in the axial direction A.

In the present embodiment, the taper angle of the proximal innerperipheral face 81 of the inner tubular portion 35 a (see FIG. 7 ) withrespect to the axial direction A and the taper angle of the distal baseportion face 85 a (see FIG. 7 ) of the distal outer peripheral face 85of the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a with respect to the axialdirection A are made different in order to shorten the length of theabutment region T2 (see FIG. 4 ) in the axial direction A as describedabove. More specifically, the taper angle of the distal base portionface 85 a (see FIG. 7 ) of the distal outer peripheral face 85 of theconnecting inner tubular portion 52 a with respect to the axialdirection A is made larger than the taper angle of the proximal innerperipheral face 81 (see FIG. 7 ) of the inner tubular portion 35 a withrespect to the axial direction A. Alternatively, the length of theabutment region T2 in the axial direction A may be shortened byutilizing, for example, undercut fitting.

Further, the abutment region T2 in the present embodiment (see FIG. 4 )is formed of the proximal inner peripheral face 81 of the inner tubularportion 35 a of the first connection member 21 constituting the firstconnection section 1 (see FIG. 7 ) and the distal outer peripheral face85 (see FIG. 7 ) of the connecting inner tubular portion 52 a of thesecond connection member 22 constituting the second connection section2, but is not limited to this configuration. The abutment region T2 maybe formed of, for example, an inner peripheral face at another positionof the inner tubular portion 35 a and an outer peripheral face atanother position or a distal face of the connecting inner tubularportion 52 a.

Furthermore, the abutment region T2 is formed by inserting theconnecting inner tubular portion 52 a serving as the second tubularportion of the second connection section 2 into the inner tubularportion 35 a serving as the first tubular portion of the firstconnection section 1 in the present embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, but is not limited to this configuration. The abutment region T2 maybe formed, for example, by inserting the inner tubular portion servingas the second tubular portion of the first connection section 1 into theconnecting inner tubular portion serving as the first tubular portion ofthe second connection section 2.

The abutment region T2 of the present embodiment is formed over theentire region in the circumferential direction (the same direction asthe circumferential direction B in the present embodiment) of the innertubular portion 35 a serving as the first tubular portion and theconnecting inner tubular portion 52 a serving as the second tubularportion as described above. Accordingly, the first passage 1 a of thefirst connection section 1 defined by the first connection member 21 andthe second passage 2 a of the second connection section 2 defined by thesecond connection member 22 are connected in a liquid-tight manner asdescribed above.

[With Regard to Connection Configuration Between First Housing 31 andSecond Housing 51]

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the annular groove 45 is formed on the outerwall of the inner tubular portion 35 a serving as the first tubularportion of the first connection section 1. As illustrated in FIG. 4 ,the second connection section 2 includes the claw portion 57 that islocated outside the inner tubular portion 35 a of the first connectionsection 1 in the radial direction and fits into the annular groove 45.

That is, the first housing 31 of the first connection member 21constituting the first connection section 1 and the second housing 51 ofthe second connection member 22 constituting the second connectionsection 2 are connected by fitting between the annular groove 45 and theclaw portion 57 in the present embodiment.

As described above, the second connection section 2 includes the wallface 5. The wall face 5 abuts on the first connection section 1 torestrict the first connection section 1 from moving in the direction tobe separated from the second connection section 2 along the axialdirection A. In the present embodiment, the wall face 5 is constitutedby the outer wall of the claw portion 57. More specifically, the wallface 5 of the present embodiment is constituted by an end face 57 b 1 ofthe locking projection 57 b of the claw portion 57 on the side of theinsertion direction C.

As described above, the first connection section 1 of the presentembodiment includes the wall face 6. The wall face 6 abuts on the wallface 5 of the second connection section 2 to restrict the secondconnection section 2 from moving in the direction to be separated fromthe first connection section 1 along the axial direction A. In thepresent embodiment, the wall face 6 is constituted by a groove wall ofthe annular groove 45. More specifically, the wall face 6 of the presentembodiment is constituted by a groove wall 45 a 1 of the annular groove45 on the side of the removal direction D opposite to the insertiondirection C.

Further, the second connection section 2 of the present embodimentincludes a wall face 7. The wall face 7 abuts on the first connectionsection 1 to restrict the first connection section 1 from moving in adirection to approach the second connection section 2 along the axialdirection A. Hereinafter, the wall face 5 is described as a “first wallface 5” and the wall face 7 is described as a “second wall face 7” inorder to distinguish the wall face 5 and the wall face 7 of the secondconnection section 2 for convenience of description. In the presentembodiment, the second wall face 7 of the second connection section 2 isconstituted by the outer wall of the claw portion 57. More specifically,the second wall face 7 of the second connection section 2 of the presentembodiment is constituted by an end face 57 b 2 of the lockingprojection 57 b of the claw portion 57 on the side of the removaldirection D opposite to the insertion direction C.

Further, the first connection section 1 of the present embodimentincludes a wall face 8. The wall face 8 abuts on the second wall face 7of the second connection section 2 to restrict the second connectionsection 2 from moving in a direction to approach the first connectionsection 1 along the axial direction A. Hereinafter, the wall face 6 isdescribed as a “first wall face 6” and the wall face 8 is described as a“second wall face 8” in order to distinguish the wall face 6 and thewall face 8 of the first connection section 1 for convenience ofdescription. In the present embodiment, the second wall face 8 of thefirst connection section 1 is constituted by a groove wall of theannular groove 45. More specifically, the second wall face 8 of thefirst connection section 1 of the present embodiment is constituted by agroove wall 45 a 2 of the annular groove 45 on the side of the insertiondirection C.

The groove wall 45 a 1 of the annular groove 45 serving as the firstwall face 6 of the first connection section 1 and the end face 57 b 1 ofthe locking projection 57 b of the claw portion 57 serving as the firstwall face 5 of the second connection section 2 abut on each other tocome into contact in the axial direction A. Accordingly, the firstconnection section 1 and the second connection section 2 in theconnected state are restricted from moving to be separated from eachother in the axial direction A. Therefore, the connection state betweenthe first connection section 1 and the second connection section 2 ismaintained. In other words, the state in which the groove wall 45 a 1 ofthe annular groove 45 serving as the first wall face 6 of the firstconnection section 1 and the end face 57 b 1 of the locking projection57 b of the claw portion 57 serving as the first wall face 5 of thesecond connection section 2 abut on each other to come into contact inthe axial direction A is the above-described separation-restrictedstate.

In the above-described separation-restricted state, the rotation controlsection 3 allows the second connection section 2 to move in the firstcircumferential direction B1 and restricts the second connection section2 from moving in the second circumferential direction B2, relative tothe first connection section 1.

Further, the groove wall 45 a 2 of the annular groove 45 serving as thesecond wall face 8 of the first connection section 1 and the end face 57b 2 of the locking projection 57 b of the claw portion 57 serving as thesecond wall face 7 of the second connection section 2 abut on each otherto come into contact in the axial direction A. Accordingly, the firstconnection section 1 and the second connection section 2 in theconnected state are restricted from moving to approach each other in theaxial direction A. In other words, the state in which the groove wall 45a 2 of the annular groove 45 serving as the second wall face 8 of thefirst connection section 1 and the end face 57 b 2 of the lockingprojection 57 b of the claw portion 57 serving as the second wall face 7of the second connection section 2 abut on each other to come intocontact in the axial direction A is an approach-restricted state.

Even in the above-described approach-restricted state, the rotationcontrol section 3 of the present embodiment allows the second connectionsection 2 to move in the first circumferential direction B1 andrestricts the second connection section 2 from moving in the secondcircumferential direction B2, relative to the first connection section1.

That is, the rotation control section 3 of the present embodiment allowsthe second connection section 2 to rotate in the first circumferentialdirection B1 relative to the first connection section 1 in both thestates of the above-described separation-restricted state andapproach-restricted state. Further, the rotation control section 3 ofthe present embodiment restricts the second connection section 2 fromrotating in the second circumferential direction B2 relative to thefirst connection section 1 in both the states of the above-describedseparation-restricted state and approach-restricted state. In otherwords, the rotation control section 3 of the present embodiment isconfigured to be capable of executing the above-described rotationcontrol constantly in the connection state by providing theabove-described separation-restricted state and the approach-restrictedstate. More specifically, the state in which the convex portion 46 (seeFIG. 6 and the like) and the deformation portion 58 (see FIG. 5 and thelike) are arranged at the overlapping positions in the circumferentialdirection B is maintained by providing the above-describedseparation-restricted state in the present embodiment. Further,excessive interference between the convex portion 46 (see FIG. 6 and thelike) and the deformation portion 58 (see FIG. 5 and the like) issuppressed by providing the above-described approach-restricted state inthe present embodiment. That is, it is possible to suppress malfunctionof the rotation control section 3 in which the deformation portion 58(see FIG. 5 and the like) excessively presses the convex portion 46 (seeFIG. 6 and the like) to prevent the second connection section 2 fromrotating in the first circumferential direction B1 relative to the firstconnection section 1.

Finally, an infusion set 600 including the medical connector 100 of thepresent embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13 .

The infusion set 600 constitutes an infusion line connecting an infusionholder such as an infusion bag (not illustrated in FIG. 13 ) to anindwelling needle (also not illustrated in FIG. 13 ). Specifically, theinfusion set 600 includes a plurality of medical tubes 601, a dripchamber 602, an adjusting clamp 603, a closing clamp 604, and themedical connector 100. The plurality of medical tubes 601 illustrated inFIG. 13 include a first medical tube 601 a and a second medical tube 601b. The drip chamber 602 enables visual confirmation of a flow rate of aninfusion agent supplied from the infusion holder. The adjusting clamp603 can change the flow rate of the infusion agent in the medical tube601 to a plurality of states. The closing clamp 604 can close themedical tube 601. The medical connector 100 connects the plurality ofmedical tubes 601 to each other.

The lock-type male connector 501 serving as the first other medicaldevice illustrated in FIG. 12 is attached to a distal end portion of thefirst medical tube 601 a. The first medical tube 601 a and the lock-typemale connector 501 may be connected undetachably or detachably.

The second medical tube 601 b serving as the second medical deviceincludes the lock-type female connector portion 503 illustrated in FIG.12 in a proximal end portion thereof. However, a lock-type femaleconnector attached to the proximal end portion of the second medicaltube 601 b serving as the second medical device may be used. In such acase, the lock-type female connector may be connected to the secondmedical tube 601 b undetachably or detachably.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , the first connection section 1, located onthe proximal end side (on the upstream side of a passage of the infusionline) in the medical connector 100, is connected to the lock-type maleconnector 501. As illustrated in FIG. 13 , the second connection section2, located on the distal end side (on the downstream side of the passageof the infusion line) in the medical connector 100, is connected to thelock-type female connector portion 503 of the second medical tube 601 b.In this manner, the medical connector 100 connects a passage in thefirst medical tube 601 a and a passage in the second medical tube 601 bin a liquid-tight manner through the first passage 1 a (see FIG. 4 ) andthe second passage 2 a (see FIG. 4 ).

The infusion set 600 illustrated in FIG. 13 is an example, and is notlimited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13 as long as includingat least one medical tube 601 and the medical connector 100.

The medical connector according to the present disclosure is not limitedto the specific configuration described in the above embodiment, andvarious modifications and changes can be made without departing from thescope of the claims. For example, the first connection section 1 isprovided with the male screw portion 40 (see FIG. 4 and the like), andthe second connection section 2 is provided with the female screwportion 60 (see FIG. 4 and the like) in the medical connector 100 of theabove-described embodiment. However, the medical connector may beconfigured such that, for example, the first connection section 1 isprovided with a female screw portion and the second connection section 2is provided with a male screw portion. Further, the medical connectormay adopt, for example, a configuration in which a male screw portion isprovided in the first connection section 1 and the second connectionsection 2, or a configuration in which a female screw portion isprovided in the first connection section 1 and the second connectionsection 2.

Further, the first connection section 1 and the second connectionsection 2 are configured to be connected to medical devices by screwingin the medical connector 100 of the above-described embodiment, but maybe configured to be connected to medical devices by utilizing therotating operation in the circumferential direction B that isrotationally controlled by the rotation control section 3 without beinglimited to the screwing. However, it is preferable to use screwing as inthe medical connector 100 of the above-described embodiment. Then, theconnecting operation with the medical device is facilitated, and therotation control performed by the rotation control section 3 is alsoeasily realized.

Further, the separation and approach between the first connectionsection 1 and the second connection section 2 in the axial direction Aare restricted by the annular groove 45 (see FIG. 4 and the like) andthe claw portion 57 (see FIG. 4 and the like) in the medical connector100 of the above-described embodiment, but the separation and approachbetween the first connection section 1 and the second connection section2 in the axial direction A may be restricted using other configurations.However, the above-described restriction on the separation and approachcan be realized with a simple configuration if the configuration inwhich the separation and approach between the first connection section 1and the second connection section 2 in the axial direction A by theannular groove 45 (see FIG. 4 and the like) and the claw portion 57 (seeFIG. 4 and the like) is adopted as in the medical connector 100 of thepresent embodiment.

Furthermore, the example (see FIG. 12 ) in which the lock-type maleconnector 501 conforming to ISO 80369-7 in 2016 is connected to thefirst connection section 1 of the medical connector 100 is illustratedin the above-described embodiment, but the medical device, such as amedical tube provided with a lock-type male connector portion conformingto the ISO 80369-7 in 2016 in an end portion, may be connected withoutbeing limited to such a configuration.

In the above-described embodiment, the outer tubular portion 35 c of thefirst housing 31 of the medical connector 100 does not completely coverthe radially outer side of the claw portion 57 of the second housing 51.On the other hand, a length of the outer tubular portion 35 c of thefirst housing 31 in the axial direction A may be made longer than thatin the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 and the like as illustratedin FIGS. 16 and 17 . Then, a proportion occupied by the first housing 31increases and a proportion occupied by the second housing 51 decreaseson an outer surface exposed to the outside of the medical connector 100.Therefore, when an operator such as a medical staff detaches the firstmedical device 501 (see FIG. 12 ) from the first connection member 21,it becomes easy to grip the first housing 31 of the first connectionmember 21. As a result, it is possible to suppress the second housing 51of the second connection member 22 from being erroneously gripped. Asillustrated in FIG. 17 , the outer tubular portion 35 c is longer thanthe inner tubular portion 35 a. More specifically, a distal end of theouter tubular portion 35 c in the insertion direction C is located to becloser to the insertion direction C than a distal end of the innertubular portion 35 a in the insertion direction C.

In FIGS. 16 and 17 , the outer tubular portion 35 c covers the radiallyouter side of the claw portion 57 of the second housing 51. With such aconfiguration, it is possible to suppress an operator such as a medicalstaff from erroneously pressing the claw portion 57 from the outer sideto the inner side in the radial direction at the time of operating themedical connector 100. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the clawportion 57 from being pressed against a groove bottom of the annulargroove 45 to increase a frictional force therebetween. As a result, itis possible to suppress generation of a problem that the ratchetmechanism of the medical connector 100 does not operate normally.

The present disclosure relates to a medical connector.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical connector comprising: a first connection section that defines a first passage; a second connection section that defines a second passage communicating with the first passage; and a rotation control section that controls relative rotation of the first connection section and the second connection section in a connection state; wherein the second connection section comprises a first wall face configured to abut on the first connection section to restrict the first connection section from moving in a direction to be separated from the second connection section along an axis of the first passage and the second passage; wherein, in a state in which the first wall face abuts on the first connection section, the rotation control section allows the second connection section to rotate relative to the first connection section in a first circumferential direction about the axis and restricts the second connection section from rotating relative to the first connection section in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction; wherein the first connection section is connectable to a first medical device using a rotating operation in the second circumferential direction and is disconnectable from the first medical device using a rotating operation in the first circumferential direction; wherein the first connection section comprises: a first tubular portion, an annular groove formed in an outer surface of the first tubular portion, a support portion that extends outward from the first tubular portion, and an outer tubular portion extending from the support portion; wherein the second connection section comprises: a second tubular portion inserted into the first tubular portion, and a claw portion that is located outward of the first tubular portion in a radial direction and fits into the annular groove, wherein the claw portion comprises the first wall face; and wherein the outer tubular portion of the first connection section extends distally from the support portion such that part of the claw portion is located between the first tubular portion and the outer tubular portion in the radial direction.
 2. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein: the first connection section comprises a male screw portion that is screwable with a female screw portion of the first medical device; and the male screw portion is configured to screw with the female screw portion of the first medical device by being rotated in the second circumferential direction relative to the female screw portion of the first medical device.
 3. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein: the second connection section is connectable to a second medical device using a rotating operation in the first circumferential direction and is disconnectable from the second medical device using a rotating operation in the second circumferential direction.
 4. The medical connector according to claim 3, wherein: the second connection section comprises a female screw portion that is screwable with a male screw portion of the second medical device; and the female screw portion is configured to screw with the male screw portion of the second medical device by being rotated in the first circumferential direction relative to the male screw portion of the second medical device.
 5. The medical connector according to claim 1, comprising: a first housing that forms at least a part of the first connection section; and a second housing that forms at least a part of the second connection section; wherein the rotation control section comprises a ratchet mechanism comprising part of the first housing and part of the second housing.
 6. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein: each of an inner wall of the first tubular portion and an outer wall of the second tubular portion comprises an abutment region along an axial direction in an insertion region where the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion overlap in the radial direction; and the second connection section is configured to rotate in the first circumferential direction relative to the first connection section while sliding with respect to the first connection section in the abutment region.
 7. The medical connector according to claim 6, wherein: the abutment region is formed over an entire circumferential region of the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion.
 8. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein: the second connection section comprises a second wall face that abuts on the first connection section to restrict the first connection section from moving in a direction to approach the second connection section along the axis; and in a state in which the first connection section abuts on the second wall face, the rotation control section allows the second connection section to rotate relative to the first connection section in the first circumferential direction and restricts the second connection section from rotating relative to the first connection section in the second circumferential direction.
 9. The medical connector according to claim 1, comprising: a valve body that forms at least a part of the first connection section, the valve body being configured to close the first passage.
 10. The medical connector according to claim 1, wherein the outer tubular portion is monolithic with the support portion and the first tubular portion.
 11. A method comprising: providing a medical connector comprising: a first connection section that defines a first passage, a second connection section that defines a second passage communicating with the first passage, and a rotation control section that controls relative rotation of the first connection section and the second connection section in a connection state, wherein the second connection section comprises a first wall face configured to abut on the first connection section to restrict the first connection section from moving in a direction to be separated from the second connection section along an axis of the first passage and the second passage, and wherein, in a state in which the first wall face abuts on the first connection section, the rotation control section allows the second connection section to rotate relative to the first connection section in a first circumferential direction about the axis and restricts the second connection section from rotating relative to the first connection section in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction; wherein the first connection section comprises: a first tubular portion, an annular groove formed in an outer surface of the first tubular portion, a support portion that extends outward from the first tubular portion, and an outer tubular portion extending from the support portion; wherein the second connection section comprises: a second tubular portion inserted into the first tubular portion, and a claw portion that is located outward of the first tubular portion in a radial direction and fits into the annular groove, wherein the claw portion comprises the first wall face; and wherein the outer tubular portion of the first connection section extends distally from the support portion such that part of the claw portion is located between the first tubular portion and the outer tubular portion in the radial direction; and connecting the first connection section to a first medical device by rotating the first connection section in the second circumferential direction.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the outer tubular portion is monolithic with the support portion and the first tubular portion.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: each of an inner wall of the first tubular portion and an outer wall of the second tubular portion comprises an abutment region along an axial direction in an insertion region where the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion overlap in the radial direction; and the second connection section is configured to rotate in the first circumferential direction relative to the first connection section while sliding with respect to the first connection section in the abutment region.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: the abutment region is formed over an entire circumferential region of the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the second connection section comprises a second wall face that abuts on the first connection section to restrict the first connection section from moving in a direction to approach the second connection section along the axis; and in a state in which the first connection section abuts on the second wall face, the rotation control section allows the second connection section to rotate relative to the first connection section in the first circumferential direction and restricts the second connection section from rotating relative to the first connection section in the second circumferential direction.
 16. The method according to claim 11, comprising: a valve body that forms at least a part of the first connection section, the valve body being configured to close the first passage.
 17. A medical connector comprising: a first connection member comprising: a first housing comprising: a substantially cylindrical inner tubular portion that defines a first passage and comprises an annular groove formed in an outer surface of the substantially cylindrical inner tubular portion, the annular groove having a wall face, an annular support portion that extends outward from the inner tubular portion and comprises a plurality of convex portions located at a lower face of the annular support portion, and a substantially cylindrical outer tubular portion that extends from the annular support portion, and a valve body attached to the first housing; wherein the outer tubular portion of the first housing extends distally from the annular support portion such that part of the claw portion is located between the inner tubular portion of the first housing and the outer tubular portion of the first housing in the radial direction; a second connection member comprising: a second housing comprising: a substantially cylindrical inner tubular portion defining a second passage communicating with the first passage, an annular flange, and a substantially cylindrical outer tubular portion comprising: a connecting outer tubular portion comprising: a projecting portion configured to fit into a recess between the convex portions of the annular support portion of the first connection member, such that the projecting portion and the convex portions form a ratching mechanism, and a claw portion located outward of the substantially cylindrical inner tubular portion of the first housing in a radial direction, the claw portion having a wall face, and a distal outer tubular portion comprising a female screw portion; wherein the wall face of the annular groove is configured to abut on the wall face of the claw portion to restrict the first connection member from moving in a direction to be separated from the second connection member along an axis of the first passage and the second passage; wherein, in a state in which the wall face of the annular groove abuts on the wall face of the claw portion, the second connection member is able to rotate relative to the first connection member in a first circumferential direction about the axis, the second connection member is restricted from rotating relative to the first connection member in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction; wherein the first connection member is connectable to a first medical device using a rotating operation in the second circumferential direction and is disconnectable from the first medical device using a rotating operation in the first circumferential direction; and wherein the substantially cylindrical inner tubular portion of the second housing is inserted into the substantially cylindrical inner tubular portion of the first housing.
 18. The medical connector according to claim 17, wherein the outer tubular portion of the first housing is monolithic with the annular support portion and the inner tubular portion of the first housing. 